Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
60–25K
1325–50K
4650–75K
2975–100K
23100–150K
5150K+
122 reports with mileage · 22 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports
What owners actually said
144 reports
97,000 miles · Nov 2, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
MY VOLVO 2001 V70XC BEGAN TO HAVE A ROUGH IDLE AND WOULD STALL OR BOG DOWN WHEN STARTING OUT FROM INTERSECTIONS. THIS LED TO OUR BEING STUCK PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND SUDDENLY HAVING A STALLED ENGINE OR A CAR WITH MINIMAL PERFORMANCE AND A "PERFORMANCE REDUCED " MESSAGE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, HE REPLACED THE ETM FO…
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MY VOLVO 2001 V70XC BEGAN TO HAVE A ROUGH IDLE AND WOULD STALL OR BOG DOWN WHEN STARTING OUT FROM INTERSECTIONS. THIS LED TO OUR BEING STUCK PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND SUDDENLY HAVING A STALLED ENGINE OR A CAR WITH MINIMAL PERFORMANCE AND A "PERFORMANCE REDUCED " MESSAGE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, HE REPLACED THE ETM FOR ABOUT $1200. CAR RUNS FINE NOW. THIS EVENT HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES, FIRST IN EARLY 2005, PART REPLACED IN OCT 2005. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10141608
89,427 miles · Oct 31, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline
VEHICLE INCURRED MINOR LOSS OF POWER WHILE CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOLLOWED BY ENGINE SURGES AND REPEATED LOSSES OF POWER. ENGINE DID NOT STALL OUT, BUT DID DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL AND DASH BOARD DID DISPLAY REDUCED PERFORMANCE WARNING. AFTER VEHICLE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF, THE REDUCED PERFORMANCE WARNING TEMPORARILY DISAPPEARED…
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VEHICLE INCURRED MINOR LOSS OF POWER WHILE CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOLLOWED BY ENGINE SURGES AND REPEATED LOSSES OF POWER. ENGINE DID NOT STALL OUT, BUT DID DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL AND DASH BOARD DID DISPLAY REDUCED PERFORMANCE WARNING. AFTER VEHICLE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF, THE REDUCED PERFORMANCE WARNING TEMPORARILY DISAPPEARED AND THEN REAPPEARED AFTER 10-15 MINUTES OF DRIVING. THIS ENGINE BEHAVIOR LAST ABOUT ONE WEEK, AND THEN THE DASH BOARD DISPLAYED A NEW SERVICE MAINTENANCE-URGENT MESSAGE. THE 2001 VOLVO XC70 WAS THEN DRIVE IMMEDIATELY TO VOLVO DEALER AND HE DETERMINED THE VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY ELECTRIC THROTTLE BODY AND DEFECTIVE ACCELERATOR SENSOR. THE REPAIR COST OVER $1,075.00 TO REPAIR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10141358
44,000 miles · Oct 27, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 2001 VOLVO V70 XC WITH 44,000 MILES BEGAN RACING AND STALLING WHEN I CAME TO A STOP; DASHBOARD MESSAGE APPEARED INDICATING NEED FOR URGENT ENGINE SYSTEM SERVICE. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO SERVICE CENTER WHERE THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY. SERVICE CENTER INDICATED THEY HAVE SEEN A RASH OF THIS PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10141087
93,000 miles · Oct 27, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
DT:THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY MODULATOR. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SLOWED FROM 60 MPH TO 15 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE A LOT OF NOISES, VIBRATION, AND EXHAUST SMELLS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CAR WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT RUNNING INITIALLY. THE HOO…
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DT:THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY MODULATOR. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SLOWED FROM 60 MPH TO 15 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE A LOT OF NOISES, VIBRATION, AND EXHAUST SMELLS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CAR WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT RUNNING INITIALLY. THE HOOD WAS OPENED TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. SHE COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM; THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TURNED OFF. ABOUT FIVE MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DROVE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS AT HER EXPENSE. THE DEALERSHIP STATED HE COULD NOT GUARANTEE THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN, EVEN AFTER REPAIRS. THE CONTACT WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER. HOWEVER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED BY THE DEALERSHIP. *AK UPDATED 1/25/2006 - *NM
NHTSA ODI #10140953
57,133 miles · Oct 23, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE BEING DRIVEN, THE CAR CONTINUOUSLY WENT OUT OF GEAR, LOST POWER AND HAD TO BE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND AFTER NEGOTIATION VOLVO OFFERED TO PAY 50% OF PARTS AND LABOR TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE THROTTLE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10140540
55,120 miles · Oct 22, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
2001 VOLVO V70XC CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND A WARNING SIGNAL STATING EMISSION SYSTEM SERVICE REQUIRED. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER AND THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE AND THE ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR WAS BAD. THESE REPAIRS WERE OVER $1100.00 THE CAR ONLY HAS 55000 MILES . I HAVE READ THAT THESE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE …
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2001 VOLVO V70XC CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND A WARNING SIGNAL STATING EMISSION SYSTEM SERVICE REQUIRED. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER AND THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE AND THE ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR WAS BAD. THESE REPAIRS WERE OVER $1100.00 THE CAR ONLY HAS 55000 MILES . I HAVE READ THAT THESE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE SYSTEMS CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME AND CAN BE DANGEROUS.. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO GO TO THE DEALER RIGHT AWAY. I AM GOING ON A LONG TRIP AT THE END OF NOVEMBER SO I ELECTED TO DO THE REPAIR. THE CAR WAS RUNNING OK WHEN IT HAPPENED . THE WARNING INDICATOR SIGNAL WAS THE ONLY INDICATION OF DAMAGE. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS PART SHOULD NOT BE FAILING. FOR SURE IT SHOULD NOT FAIL THIS SOON. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10140505
70 miles · Oct 19, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
ENGINE SURGES STALLS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. FUEL THROTTLE BODY FOUND TO BE FAULTY REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. ATTEMPT TO CLEAN COMPONENT UNSUCCESSFULLY. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10140196
Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
I WAS IN A 2001 VOLVO XC 70, MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY CUT OFF LEAVING ME WITH NO ACCELERATION AS I TRIED TO CROSS A BUSY INTERSECTION. I HAD TWO KIDS IN THE CAR AND THANK GOD NO ONE WAS COMING THE OTHER WAY. THE CAR THEN STARTED TO SHUDDER AND I TURNED IT OFF. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10140046
Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2005
Electrical System
MY VEHICLE STALLS WITH NO WARNING. 1. NO WARNING, SEEMINGLY NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. 2. FAILURE MANIFESTS ITSELF IN A COMPLETE SHUT-DOWN OF CAR. THE CAR BECOMES A HAZARD WHEREVER FAILURE OCCURS, ESPECIALLY ON THE FREEWAY. NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES. 3. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR THIS PROBLEM ON 6 …
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MY VEHICLE STALLS WITH NO WARNING. 1. NO WARNING, SEEMINGLY NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. 2. FAILURE MANIFESTS ITSELF IN A COMPLETE SHUT-DOWN OF CAR. THE CAR BECOMES A HAZARD WHEREVER FAILURE OCCURS, ESPECIALLY ON THE FREEWAY. NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES. 3. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR THIS PROBLEM ON 6 OCCASIONS. DEALER REPLACED THROTTLE BODY TWICE, ABS CONTROL MODULE THREE TIMES, AND A WIRE HARNESS, WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT THE PROBLEM IS REMEDIED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10140030
62,089 miles · Oct 17, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
CAR HAD A SUDDEN LOSS OF SPEED WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED IT WOULD DRIVE A LITTLE BIT AND THEN STALL AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. WE WERE ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AND I WAS WITH MY 2 YOUNG CHILDREN. IT WAS SLOWLY DRIVEN TO THE VOLVO DEALER AND WAS IMMEDIATELY DIAGNOSED TO BE THE "THROTTLE". THE T…
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CAR HAD A SUDDEN LOSS OF SPEED WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED IT WOULD DRIVE A LITTLE BIT AND THEN STALL AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. WE WERE ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AND I WAS WITH MY 2 YOUNG CHILDREN. IT WAS SLOWLY DRIVEN TO THE VOLVO DEALER AND WAS IMMEDIATELY DIAGNOSED TO BE THE "THROTTLE". THE THROTTLE,GASKET AND HOSE CLAMP WAS REPLACED. *NM
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, SOME ELECTRIC COOLING FANS MAY OVERHEAT POTENTIALLY CAUSING HEAT DAMAGE AND, IN RARE INSTANCES, A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COOLING FAN. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004. CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2
EA05021 · Throttle Control Malfunction
Opened Dec 6, 2005 · Closed Dec 12, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control
ON NOVEMBER 14, 2006 VOLVO SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO NHTSA CONCERNING ETM FAILURES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 THROUGH 2001 VOLVO MODELS (NOT INCLUDING THE S40 AND V40), MY 2002 S60 AND V70 WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINES AND MY 2002 V70S.ACCORDING TO VOLVO, ?A COMBINATION OF THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR IRREGULARITIES, A DIRTY THROTTLE HOUSING AND/OR INEFFICIENT SOFTWARE CALIBRATION MAY CAUSE A WARNING LAMP TO LIGHT AND THE SUBSEQUENT ONSET OF LIMP HOME MODES.VOLVO FURTHER STATED THAT,THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF THESE VEHICLES GOING INTO LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.?VOLVO INDICATED THAT THIS WAS THE MOST SEVERE CONSEQUENCE OF AN ETM FAULT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE RECALL REMEDY IS A SOFTWARE UPGRADE INTRODUCED BY VOLVO ON MARCH 16, 2006 IN A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM.AT THE TIME OF THE NOTIFICATION 161,202 VEHICLES OF THE POPULATION OF 331,301 HAD ALREADY HAD THE SOFTWARE UPLOADED AND WERE THEREFORE NOT INCLUDED IN THE POPULATION COUNT OF THE RECALL. ODI?S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND VOLVO, VOLVO FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY DATA FOUND THAT ETM FAILURE COULD RESULT IN (1) ENGINE STALL; (2) MECHANICAL LIMP MODE; (3) LUNGING FORWARD DURING LOW-SPEED DRIVING MANEUVERS; AND (4) FALTERING DURING HIGH SPEED MERGES OR WHEN CROSSING TRAFFIC.ODI IDENTIFIED 12 CRASHES RELATED TO ETM FAILURE, WITH 6 CAUSED BY LUNGING INCIDENTS, 3 CAUSED BY STALLING INCIDENTS, 2 CAUSED BY MECHANICAL LIMP MODE AND 1 FROM THE FALTERING CONDITION.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT DATA AND INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM CONSUMER INTERVIEWS IDENTIFIED 1,289 INCIDENTS WITH SAFETY RELATED CONSEQUENCES (389.1 PER 100,000 VEHICLES), INCLUDING 479 INVOLVING ENGINE STALL (144.6 PER 100,000 VEHICLES) AND 729 INVOLVING MECHANICAL LIMP MODE (220.0 PER 100,000 VEHICLES).ODI'S ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY CLAIM NARRATIVE TEXT SHOWS AT LEAST 14,965 WARRANTY CLAIMS WITH CODES INDICATING AN ETM FAULT RESULTING IN VEHICLE OPERATION IN MECHANICAL LIMP MODE (4.5% OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES). VOLVO?S RECALL ADDRESSES ODI?S SAFETY CONCERNS WITH ETM FAILURES.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO DETERMINE IF ADDITIONAL ACTION IS REQUIRED.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.
PE05041 · Throttle Control Malfunction
Opened Jul 26, 2005 · Closed Dec 7, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control
PE05-041 WAS OPENED ON JULY, 26, 2005, BASED ON 136 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS TO ODI ALLEGING THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ODI HAS NOW RECEIVED 591 COMPLAINTS OF ETM FAILURES WHICH ALLEGE SYMPTOMS WITH POTENTIAL SAFETY RELATED CONSEQUENCES.THESE INCLUDE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE STALL, VEHICLE SURGING FORWARD WITHOUT ACCELERATOR INPUT, VEHICLE HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION AND SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED TRANSITION INTO REDUCED PERFORMANCE OPERATION (LIMP MODE).VOLVO SUBMITTED OVER 2,900 COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE ETM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DURING PE05-041.ODI'S PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF A SAMPLE THE VOLVO COMPLAINTS IDENTIFIED APPROXIMATELY 55 PERCENT WITH ONE OR MORE OF THE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED ABOVE.ODI IS CONTINUING ITS ASSESSMENT OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE VOLVO COMPLAINTS. IN NOVEMBER 2005, TO RESOLVE AN INVESTIGATION BY THE CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD, VOLVO ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE TO 10 YEARS / 200,000 MILES FOR THE ETM IN APPROXIMATELY 356,000 MODEL YEAR 1999 THROUGH 2002 PASSENGER CARS SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA.UNDER VOLVO'S POLICY, VEHICLES THAT EXPERIENCE ETM FAILURES WILL RECEIVE A VARIETY OF REPAIRS INCLUDING ETM CLEANING, REPROGRAMMING THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE AND/OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ETM. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA05-021) TO CONTINUE TO ASSESS THE SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF ETM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
2001 Volvo V70XC Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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